Barnard College, the all-female undergrad school affiliated with Columbia University, will honor one of its most famous alumna May 7 at the school’s annual gala at The Plaza — the late Joan Rivers. “They (Barnard higher-ups) never said it publicly, but the school’s bigwigs told staffers they did not want any association with Joan Rivers because of raunchy material they heard in her act. No doubt they won’t confirm this, but it’s true,” a source told The Daily News gossip enterprise, Confidential . The naysayers were quickly shut down by organizers of the event, which is a major fundraiser for the school. Tables go as high as $100,000. Rivers, who died last fall, graduated the school in 1954.
The News says the late funny lady’s beloved daughter, Melissa, will attend.
A Barnard spokeswoman told The News the entire story is made up.
“This could not be further from the truth,” she said. “We are very proud that Joan Rivers was a Barnard alumna, and look forward to honoring her trailblazing career at this year’s gala.”
There are reports Friday morning that some at the Morningside Heights liberal arts school thought it beneath them to go on with the salute because Rivers was so raunchy and politically incorrect.
Report: Some at Barnard objected to honoring late alumna Joan Rivers
Reuters
